11.5: Hometown Security means what to Homeland Security?

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https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/sleeper/inside/profiles.html

The above link provides one example of the nexus between local law enforcement and Homeland security. A small cell located in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY. This enforcement was the combined effort of local and federal authorities. This illustrates that law enforcement, regardless of local, state or federal, must work in conjunction with each other to achieve security. Historically, enforcement efforts reserved for federal agencies have since been relegated to local law enforcement, such as auto theft, bank robbery, drug enforcement, and kidnapping. Information being the lifeblood of enforcement activities it is abundantly apparent that information sharing is required. This is not restricted to the law enforcement agencies but is the responsibility of community itself to authorities. The previously discussed strategies toward Community Policing are avenues for intelligence gathering and sharing opportunities. Ethically, how should one agency deal with the information? When a change in administrations occurs (Generally Federal Level) previously engaged programs are often scrapped for a newer, shinier model. In short, if it works, get rid of it because it is not ours. The COPS effort has surpassed this obstacle and remains intact today, but at what level and at what degree of efficiency?

Who is going to take over when the adults leave town?

Government resources are scarce even in good economic times. The COPS Office has received numerous reformations dependent on public policy. They began during the Clinton Administration (50,000 New COPS) a funding mechanism to bring new police officers into the profession during very difficult economic times. The Officers, depending on economic situation of the community, were funded by a formula that after a five year period they were funded in full by the local municipality. The COPS office remains in operation today but with differing programs, but remains dedicated to its original mission of supporting local police.

The purpose of programs may lose its meaning or because it was from a previous administration the public policy becomes tainted and may be bastardized. Webster defines bastardized as: to reduce from a higher to a lower state or condition. This means to debase, corrupt, contaminate or weaken or dilute "it is unthinkable that I would bastardize my values". The COPS program remain relatively intact and is administered as a component within the U.S. Department of Justice dedicated to community policing. The ethics of public policy may not reside in the long term planning of communities as in this example of the COPS program. Albeit they remain in operation, as crime has reduced the money allocated to the program diminishes. Can crime increase as fast as it decreased? When public officials find themselves embroiled in public policy skirmishes over ownership or find a need to weaken something that works due to who may have originated the concept, often the public benefactors are the victims. Might short sightedness be an ethical violation of voluminous proportions?

Certainty, many of the COP/POP programs have intended remedial impacts both strategic and long-term. With limited resources facing communities of all size and particularly in policing, programs such as community based initiatives requires the public to afford maintenance when the storm and warn programs (Immediate pinpointed focus) and interactive programs (Police & Community) have achieved its goals. The police are hard pressed to maintain sufficient presence in all areas and must rely on a community response in the on-going maintenance effort. During this decade the political landscape has driven home the need for ethics, but also at the grassroots level. Ethical foundations is an expectation and responsibility of each citizen.

A legitimate question posed at this juncture may be; has sound thinking and programmatic ventures been scrapped for overzealous egos of a new administration? Has the ethical basis of the original idea been dissolved due to previous packaging and sale of the idea is not that of the new leader in town? Does the tax payer suffer by losing an effort that demonstrated sound results for the sake of a new ego in town? If it works, get rid of it!